Always wanted to write for a magazine...

It’s with great pleasure that I return to interview form tonight, with a piece extolling the virtues of yet another alternative female and her stunning work. This week sees a feature all about a fabulous independent model called Emma J Black. Emma is someone I’ve been wanting to collaborate for a while now, but as you might expect, her busy shooting schedule keeps her very occupied. I’m delighted to say that she was able to find time to answer a few questions for the Alt Girl botherer blog; and give a little insight into her world and work. I hope you’ll enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed asking. I envy readers their first introduction to Emma’s work, and hope I’ve opened some eyes to this fabulously creative individual.

 

Welcome Emma, it’s great to be able to feature you and your work on this blog. How are you doing today?

I’m very well thanks, It’s my day off so I’m sat in bed networking.

You’re a self employed and very self motivated model. It’s a big step getting into modelling, especially under your own steam, finding shoots etc yourself. What gave you that first push into working in front of the camera?

Well, I actually started out modelling just as a hobby. I was interested in photography and studying it at college; whenever I wanted to shoot a person I’d just shoot myself, I then started modelling for the other students and built up a small portfolio. I joined an online portfolio site when I turned 18 and it snowballed from there.

How did you find the modelling world when you first started participating in shoots? Was it a welcoming industry, or was there a certain amount of struggle involved?

When I first started doing shoots I mainly did it for myself; to build a portfolio and gain experience. I never expected to do this as a career so I didn’t pay too much attention to the industry to be honest.

For someone that is self employed and without the might of an agency behind them, you have still managed to feature in a lot of high quality shoots. How do you go about picking a project, or choosing a photographer to work with?

I am agency signed with spirit models but I haven’t actually done any work via them yet. When it comes to paid shoots I’ll shoot with anyone who has references and the brief is within my levels. When it comes to shoots for my portfolio I’m a lot more picky, I’ll only shoot with people I feel can add to my portfolio, so it varies who I choose depending on which genre I’m after. I would love to do some more work with designers and magazines.

Your work exhibits a multitude of styles, from fetish and fashion to glamour and concept photography. Did you get into modelling with a certain style in mind, for instance did you start out wanting to be a fetish model, fashion model etc? Or did you just leap into alternative modelling and investigate all aspects of it?

I started off doing more glamour work as I had less tattoos (about 4 I think) and “normal” hair, but I had quite a gothic style so got booked for quite a few fetish, gothic and alt shoots.

Before we talk about your work in greater detail Emma, I wondered if I could ask you about your own sense of style. How would you describe your clothing choices away from the lens in your personal life? Would you say you enjoy alternative fashion?

I love all sorts of aesthetics so my style changes on almost a daily basis depending on my mood. I used to be very gothic wearing new rocks, velvet, corsets and heavy black make-up; whereas nowadays I’m a bit more casual, I still love black but I think I’m more grunge and metal now. I like to look good and I’m always striving to be unique but it seems so hard to be totally individual these days.

You also experiment with your hair a lot Emma, and go for very vibrant shades. May I ask what colour your hair is at the moment, and if there are any plans for a change in the near future?

It’s currently blue; the exact tones of blue changes each time I dye it. I’m planning on adding purple and possibly pink to it in the New Year.

Alternative modelling is a vast field, with people from all walks of life getting involved and doing well on their own. Did you have a specific inspiration modelling wise?

I’ve always loved the work of Nina Kate; she’s probably my biggest inspiration.

Moving on to your work; it’s hard to know where to start with the multitude of shoots you’ve been involved in. I’ll begin with one of my favourites though, that being your set with CCB Photography with your bluey hair. In one shot you’re on a black leather sofa, a shot you’re using as your Facebook cover picture actually. What do you remember from that shoot Emma? Your cover shot in particular is awesome, well posed with the arched back and pointed toes. It’s glorious!

Thanks. That was my first shoot when I got back from travelling for three and a half weeks over the summer and my first shoot with blue hair. I always get great shots working with Chris and I love his studio.

Speaking of techniques like arching your back and pointing your toes, where would you say you learned these tricks of the trade? Is modelling a skill that you must learn as you go along, or have you studied others in the industry and picked up your craft in other ways?

I’ve always looked at others work but I’m not one of these models that practise’s in the mirror. I’ve learnt my poses and facial expression etc from doing so many shoots and working with so many great people.

You’ve worked with CCB Photography a few times in the past; you must really enjoy shooting with them. They do have a great knack for capturing you, and using floods of light in pictures to highlight your incredible features and figure.

I’ve worked with Chris 3 times now I think; He’s definitely one of the photographers on my TF list.

A feature of your work with CCB is that you do a lot of your own make-up. Is that a side of your work you enjoy? I have noticed that you do experiment with make-up styles and techniques; can you tell us about that side of your creativity please Emma?

I do my own make-up on all my shoots; I’ve actually done most of my make-up work with Quane Photography. I usually just come up with my designs on the spot, sometimes I’ll use others work as a reference. I’m a painter and drawer in my free time so I think that helps a lot.

There are also a few collaborations with the lovely Lucretia Levana in your portfolio. What are those shoots like to be a part of? Was there any awkwardness at first, or have you always been comfortable with Lucretia?

Lucretia is great to work with, we got on like a house on fire straight away. I’ve only managed to work with her twice but will hopefully work with her again in the future.

They’re pretty steamy sets, with a fair amount of drama and contact in your eyes. Would you agree that there is much more technique involved with one of those style shoots? It’s not as simple as putting two gorgeous ladies in bed together.

I think because we get on so well it’s quite natural the only difficulty with g/g shoots is how much there is to think about; You have to make sure you look good, don’t block out the other model or the light from the other model whilst making sure you’re fully lit and being aware of where the camera is.

Away from modelling for a moment Emma, may I ask what else keeps you busy? I know you’re also into photography, is that a side of yourself that you’d like to explore and maybe move behind the camera in the near or distant future?

As I’ve said further up I started out behind the camera and studied it at A level. Art is a passion of mine; I paint as much as I can in my free time and occasionally draw too. Unfortunately I don’t have much time for my hobbies currently as I’m studying a HND in business which takes up a huge chunk of my time. I’m actually going to do coursework after this interview.

Before we finish Emma, I have to ask you about your ink. You’ve got a very eclectic array of tattoos around your body. How many exactly do you have?

I have 13 currently; they are mainly based on art and fantasy. Some have personal reasons; some are just about the art. As I said before I love lots of different aesthetics so they do vary a little but I try to keep the style of tattooing similar so they don’t look odd together.

Could you tell us about some of your favourites? Also, a favourite of mine is the green devilish pin-up girl on your forearm, what inspired that design?

I think my favourite currently is my dia de los muertos side piece, it’s an adaptation of a painting by an artist called Sylvia Ji. When my back piece is finished that may take the top spot though because it’s based on the Labyrinth my all-time favourite film.

The green creature on my arm was drawn by an acquaintance of mine, it was a sketch she did that I added colour into for my tattoo design, she’s pink and green because they are colours I like together.

Lastly, before the questionnaire. What projects are you working on at the moment? Where can fans expect to see your work next?

I have a make-up and concept shoot coming up next month which I’m looking forward too. I’m also hoping to buy some wigs and latex in the New Year to shoot, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

Finally, would you be so kind as to give answer Bernard Pivot’s questionnaire please Emma?

What is your favourite word?

Adore

What is your least favourite word?

Stupid

What turns you on?

Biting and scratching

What turns you off?

Farts

What is your favourite curse word?

Fuck

What sound or noise do you love?

The engine of a great motorbike or car

What sound or noise do you hate?

Fire alarms

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

I want to be (and shall be) an archaeologist (and/or teacher)

What profession would you not like to do?

Police officer

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

You are now entitled to angel wings (I want wings when I die)

Once again I can’t thank Emma enough for all her help in putting this piece together. I wish her every success in the future, and urge everyone to head over to the link below for more info. Keep your eyes open for Emma’s exciting projects in the New Year, and more news from a real talent:

https://www.facebook.com/emmajblackuk

All images used were provided by Emma. They feature work by CCB Photography and Quane Photography.

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone for the fantastic response to my Bianca Beauchamp interview. It’s been received incredibly well, and the news that Bianca will be plugging the article on her twitter and websites is wonderful. I’ve said it previously, but it’s always amazing when public figures go that extra mile for fans and fellow professionals that appreciate their work. It’s a symbiotic business, and blogs such as mine need the cooperation of guests to function and provide the constant stream of material, that I hope entertains and informs my readers.

I’m glad Bianca’s fans are finding their way to the piece, and I hope new and regular admirers of her work enjoy the collaboration we have produced. It was a privilege to work on the interview with Bianca and her husband Martin Perreault. They were both lovely to deal with, and so accommodating. As a result of the piece, in the near future I hope to be interviewing latex designer and producer Polymorphe, who were mentioned with affection by Bianca in her answers. I’m excited about that prospect, and have entered into discussion with Polymorphe recently.

Other interviews that new and existing followers of this blog can look forward to are as follows: Firstly, I’m currently working on a cosplay Halloween special that I think will go down a storm! I’m arranging an interview with a lady whose cosplay antics are simply sublime, and talking about her work and her craft will be so fitting for Halloween I think (my fingers remain crossed that the interview can be conducted in time for a Halloween special).

I’ll also have an interview with one of the most fascinating performers in the alternative adult industry; I won’t name any names just yet because there’s always a danger of schedules precluding people’s involvement all of a sudden. But definitely watch this space for more details. I’m also awaiting the all clear to publish a few pieces that are long overdue, with ladies whose work I have recently discovered, as well as those I have enjoyed for years.

As well as interviews I have my FRONT magazine review pending. It feels like ages since I’ve written a FRONT review, due to the fact that I wrote my last one so soon after its release.

Promo news is on the way also; I’ve been working on a number of projects for some models, magazines and entertainers, all of which I will share on these pages in the very near future.

So that’s what is coming up, but first and foremost I wanted to write this post to welcome my new followers (who have joined in response to my Bianca Beauchamp interview I’m sure). It’s always a joy to see a new follower on my page, and I thank anyone and everyone that reads my work. It’s my pleasure to produce these interviews and work with the talented ladies I have in my first year on this blog. However, it’s always an added thrill to see that other people are responding to my efforts, and enjoying the material I publish.

Thank you followers and thank you guests, I hope I do you all justice with what I write.

Regular readers of this blog will know that I’m a latex junkie. I love to feature models that specialise in sporting the majestic material, and do so with aplomb. I’m not sure what it is about the stuff that captivates me so, but I know it always catches my attention, and some of my favourite imagery involves latex clad models.

Previously on this page I have featured such latex lovelies as Ruby True, Pandora Deluxe, VioletEyes, Whiplash, Rubber Monkey latex, etc… I am indeed a fan of their work within the latex field, and while I also bow to their talents in other genres of modelling, it’s a special thing when these ladies are wrapped in shiny rubber.

The next guest in my latex odyssey is a lady with a massive following world wide. Someone who has appeared on the cover of Bizarre magazine many times, and is synonymous with the art and skill of latex exhibition. Her name is Bianca Beauchamp, and she is rightfully seen as a legend within her industry.

It’s an interview that I could have never envisaged conducting when I began this blog project over a year ago. During that year however, I am delighted to say that my blog has gathered momentum. Through experience and hard work I have been able to secure interviews with impressive females from every level of the alternative modelling and performance realms.

After lengthy discussions with Bianca’s representatives, I was granted an interview with the amazing lady herself; the results of which are due for publication later tonight. I was humbled to know that my previous interviews and work on this blog were enjoyed by such a gigantic presence within an industry it is my passion to write about. I was also blown away that Bianca would set aside time to answer my questions and talk about her work with me. When a model has been at the top of her industry for as long as Bianca has, there’s a risk that any interview might have a blasé feel to it. However, having witnessed her contribution I have to say that Bianca brought a freshness and enthusiasm that really impresses. It’s a very interesting piece indeed, with sublime visuals provided by Bianca’s photographer husband Martin Perreault. I hope everyone will check it out and enjoy.

The article will be published this evening (UK time), and I can’t wait to see what everyone thinks.

Following on from my Bizarre magazine anniversary special interview with David McComb, I’m very happy to be able to bring you all an added extra interview with the magazine’s Art Director Dave Kelsall. As Art Director Dave is responsible for model submissions, as well as the selection of cover stars etc. Basically he’s the man in the know when it comes to anything involved with the look and content of every issue. The ideal candidate for the Alt Girl botherer blog to talk with wouldn’t you say? This piece will also hopefully be of interest to aspiring models and Bizarre contributors that follow this blog, and are fans of the magazine. Without further ado, I’m delight to share my short interview with Mr Kelsall, which was conducted just over a week ago. I hope it’s a source of entertainment and information for interested readers…

 

Hi there Dave, Could you tell us a little about your background in the industry, and your role within the Bizarre family?

Far too long working on Video Games magazines, far too long working on Internet Magazines and now I’ve been at Bizarre… for far too long. I tend to outstay my welcome everywhere I end up! I’m the Art Director… which basically means I do everything to do with the look and feel and final production of the Magazine/Brand. I’ve been responsible for over 100 cover shoots… which involves finding the right girl, the theme, location, styling, Hair/make-up, set designers, photographers and if I was really lucky I got to commission amazing bespoke (usually latex) outfits. 

I was wondering if you could talk a little bit about what goes into finding girls to appear in the pages of Bizarre? What do you look for in contributors, and what is the course of events from approach to publication?

The right girl could come from anywhere. Chance meetings, other magazines, blogs, websites, recommendations, continual pestering, submissions, friends of friends. Continual pestering works really well… there’s just so much to do on the magazine that I forget half of the girls that email me about appearing in the mag. Perseverance really does work… because you get to see a model develop and what they are capable of achieving in the monthly updates. I’m never going to ‘not look at pictures’ that are emailed to me - ever. I just don’t have time to respond most of the time. I wish I did.
“Alternative” has become a little bastardised in recent times, with those heavy blacked rimmed glasses (know the ones?) shoved down everybody’s throats and labelled “Alt”. Is it important in your eyes that alternative remains alternative, and doesn’t become a trademark used by ”lads mags”?

This is a hard one to answer… because I really don’t know. I’m not sure what alternative is anymore. Is it crazy hair… tattoos… latex? I like to think that anyone can model for Bizarre - and they have! I feel just as comfortable using Kitty Lea (popular lads mag/page 3 model) for a Bizarre cover as a traditional ‘alt model’ because she is absolutely amazing at what she does and looks utterly stunning in latex. She’s loads of fun and game for anything… we set her on fire once. She was cool with that. And then there’s Nina Kate (heavily tattooed goddess), she’s one of the most stunning looking models I’ve ever met… she doesn’t just model like the best of them… she also makes her own clothes, buys her own props, begs and borrows amazing things from her vast army of friends and contacts. I can’t think of one girl that I’ve ever been disappointed with… because I always ask them the same question… WILL YOU DO ANYTHING WE ASK OF YOU? Will you eat a heart, jump around a burning wrecked car, get covered in custard, handle a snake, wrestle a dwarf, get drenched in water, wear a moustache, dress up like a pony, act stoopid etc… But getting back to your question… I still don’t really know. I think there should be an algorithm made up… something like AREA OF TATTOO COVERAGE x HAIR COLOUR divided by MUSIC TASTE = ALT. MODEL. Deduct points for not liking cupcakes… or something. Hey, I’ve nicked girls I’ve seen in FRONT and LOADED… maybe I’m not qualified to answer this question.

Finally (as I now you’re very busy) are Bizarre models judged as much on their attitude as they are on their appearance? Does it take a certain type of character to model for the magazine?

Well, yes. See above. You can’t come to a Bizarre shoot and knock out a few signature looks… you’ve got to be up for having a laugh, being brave and seeing what happens… I find that’s when the best pictures get taken. But let’s not forget the stylists, make-up artists and photographers though… you’ve got to have the right team and I’ve always been very lucky to have had a very loyal, trusting and friendly gang around me. Nina Kate, Florence Druart and The House Of Harlot have been especially good to us over the years… those outfits have absolutely transformed some girls! While I’m writing my Oscar acceptance speech I must also mention Bianca Beauchamp, Mosh and Masuimi Max… there are 3 girls that could appear every month on the cover of Bizarre. I think Bianca has done over 10 covers now (all superbly shot by her husband Martin - have you ever seen a bad Bianca shoot? No - it don’t exist!). You couldn’t find more different looks, characters and styles in those 3… so no… it doesn’t take a certain type at all. I suppose this is the key to being a Bizarre cover girl - be yourself and never try to copy anyone else. Do your own thing… and never give up trying.

Massive thanks go to Dave for taking the time to answer these questions in such great detail. Special thanks also to the marvellous David McComb, who put me in touch with his Art Director as a result of our original interview. It was a fantastic experience dealing with the Bizarre editor and his team, I was bowled over by the accommodating nature of those behind the scenes at such a big publication. I was impressed with their support of fellow creative and expressive ventures, and I shall forever be grateful to Bizarre magazine for their contribution to this blog.

 

Images used in this piece were provided by Bizarre magazine, and used with permission.

 

September marks this blog’s one year anniversary, and to celebrate I’ve managed to ensnare an industry big cheese. As this venture is my ode to magazine writing, and indeed my audition piece for a future career in journalism, who better to mark twelve months of interview and review than Bizarre supremo and editor David McComb. David was kind enough to give up his time to answer some questions about his publication, and what goes in to producing the monthly assault on our senses that is Bizarre magazine. Thanks to David’s candour, the Alt Girl botherer blog celebrates its first birthday with an exclusive look behind the scenes of an alternative magazine that has spearheaded the industry for many years. I hope fans and aspiring contributors alike will enjoy reading the interview, and if you’ve ever wondered what goes into an issue of Bizarre, look no further. Thanks to everybody for your support this past year, and I hope this is adequate reward for following this blog… 

 

Welcome David, it’s a real thrill being able to feature Bizarre magazine’s head honcho to help celebrate my blog’s one year anniversary. How are you doing?

I’m good, thanks. I’ve just finished editing the text for the first instalment of our two-part interview with HR Giger; a feature I’ve been working on for three years, gently negotiating an exclusive audience with the master of dark art. It’s a thrill that the Giger interview has finally come through.

Would you be so kind as to tell us a little about yourself and your role within the magazine? What would you say are “must have” qualities for a Bizarre editor?

I’ve been editor of Bizarre for five years. Before that I was managing editor of the magazine – which is all about setting schedules and paying invoices – and prior to going full-time on Bizarre I was a freelance journalist working for Empire, Chat, FHM, Zoo, Top Of The Pops, Smash Hits and dozens of other mags.

Before hawking my wares as a freelancer I worked in videogame magazine publishing – editor of Nintendo Official Magazine, launch editor of the Pokémon Master Guide series – and I also spent two years of soul-crushing misery in business-to-business publishing after leaving the magazine journalism postgraduate course at City University, London.
While people might think editing Bizarre is a bacchanalian orgy of perverse parties and wild cover shoots, being a magazine editor is all about running a business. In order for the magazine to survive I need to balance budgets, manage schedules, engage freelance contributors, make sure all invoices are paid and watch deadlines like a hawk, so that the good ship Bizarre can sail onwards on smooth waters.
I do get to make a final decision on content and steer the direction of the magazine, but most creative ideas come from my contributors, and these days I don’t actually write much for Bizarre. My role is more of a curator than a creator.
Now it’s more important than ever for me to keep my business head screwed on as Bizarre is produced independently of Dennis Publishing. Dennis still owns and publishes Bizarre, but since last December my little company – Blackthorn Communications (www.blackthorncommunications.com) – has produced all the magazine content, run Bizarremag.com, and managed Bizarre’s Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter feeds. There’s no big company to protect me any longer, so I need to be sure the business is running efficiently, and ensure I have enough money to pay my contributors and make sure my taxes are taken care of. But as I get to work from home, in my own office, and surrounded by my own stuff, I’m happier than when I was commuting into London every morning and getting enraged by dumbass strangers on London Underground.

Your magazine richly deserves its tag line “The World’s #1 Alternative mag” following years of innovative and exciting content. Is there a Bizarre mission statement or credo that you could share with us? What are the publications main goals and objectives?

Our goal is to stay one step ahead of the pack, and showcase the best in alternative culture before anyone else.

Sometimes I forget how ahead of the curve Bizarre is; but you only have to look at the steampunk theme and special appearance from Viktoria Moskalova at the Paralympic Games closing ceremony to realise how Bizarre has consistently spotted trends and stars before anyone else. We first featured Viktoria on the cover in June 2008, and have been celebrating steampunk culture for over six years, and it was great to be reminded how innovative Bizarre is, and how our grotty little magazine helps set the agenda.

Unlike most magazines, Bizarre isn’t driven by release schedules or celebrity misdemeanours, and we have free reign to publish whatever the hell we like. We don’t always get it right, and there are some issues I’m pretty ashamed of as we didn’t achieve what we’d set out to do. But, overall, I’m proud of the fact that Bizarre consistency showcases intriguing subjects from the darker side of life, makes people think, and shows anyone who thinks they’re weird that there are plenty of other folk out there who are into the same things as them.

The last issue of Bizarre featured latex legend Bianca Beauchamp, and the current issue (released September 25^th) features the incredible Masuimi Max. How do you go about recruiting such industry greats every month? Is the mag’s reputation such that these women come to you, or is there a certain amount of grovelling and negotiation involved?

Bizarre has a fantastic relationship with Bianca and Masuimi – they’re my favourite models of all time, and are delightful to work with, professional when it comes to supplying images, and always look stunning in their cover shoots. Bizarre treats all its models with respect, and we always do our best to give our cover girls a voice in the magazine, rather than simply printing their sexiest pictures – so there isn’t much grovelling and negotiation involved. We do the right thing by our models, and what goes around comes around.

May I ask what goes into an issue of Bizarre? How far in advance is content produced, are you looking ahead to Halloween and Christmas issues way ahead of time?

We’re currently planning our first issue of 2013! Because so much work goes into features – briefing writers, gathering images, editing copy, designing layouts, editing pages and so on – the bigger articles have to be planned months in advance. Our reviews and news content come in a little later, so that we can be as up-to-date as possible when we hits newsstands, but the magazine features are now prepared months in advance of publication.

Each issue of Bizarre begins with your “Photo Assault”, a feature that has made me turn the page quickly and peek back gingerly at times. That must be an interesting decision process for the guys involved; are there limits or parameters to what can actually be printed?

If you’re freaked out by the images in Photo Assault, you should see the pics we choose not to print! Because Bizarre is distributed via newsagents and supermarkets, we need to be careful not to print images that could be considered obscene, or images that are gratuitous and have no journalistic value. It’s a tough balancing act as our readers want shocking content, but we need to self-censor ourselves because, if the magazine is withdrawn from sale and subsequently banned from supermarkets, that would be the end of Bizarre. But it’s always a dubious thrill to look at the hideous images our intrepid picture editor, Tom Broadbent, dredges up each month, and poring over pictures the rest of the world (thankfully!) doesn’t get to see.

This blog is all about alternative women, and celebrating individuality and expression. “Alt” is an ideal that a lot of publications are buying into these days, but Bizarre is the original and best. When considering women to feature within your hallowed pages, what characteristics or traits are you looking for?

To be honest, I tend to stand back and let Bizarre’s art director, Dave Kelsall, make a decision on the girls we use, as he has an infallible eye for spotting models who are perfect for the cover of Bizarre.

But being a Bizarre model is about more than sexy good looks – it’s all about attitude. A great example is Radeo, who we featured on the cover of Bizarre in June. For visual impact she’s a fantastic cover model as she’s hot as hell, has great body art, and has idiosyncratic stars tattooed on her nipples. But what made Radeo a great Bizarre cover girl was the spunky interview she gave us, where she raved about science-fiction, action movies and her insane ramblings on Twitter. She’s not just a pretty face – Radeo’s fun, sexy, exciting, and the sort of person you’d want to party with until dawn.

Fetish is an important element in Bizarre, and in particular latex. Is it a happy coincidence that you feature lots of latex lovers, or do the higher ups at Bizarre towers have a particular penchant for the squeaky stuff?

You may not believe this, but we don’t actively look for latex shoots! It just so happens that some of the most exciting girls are shot in latex outfits, and so we end up bouncing back to the rubber theme time and time again.

Latex is a sensual material with strong connotations of kink, so you get a lot of imaginative, outsider designers creating clothes that look like they were tailor made for the cover of Bizarre. From Ruby True’s slinky latex fox outfit, complete with inflatable tail, in August 2011, to Bianca’s kinky pink number she’s wearing on the cover of our current issue, latex is a material that’s inspired innovative designers to create unique costumes, which become mind-blowing when one of our cover stars slips into them.

Another key element in an issue of Bizarre is artwork. Be that celebrating new artists from various mediums, or body art from readers and practitioners alike. Would you say art is as integral as any other facet of the magazine?

Outsider art has always been a part of Bizarre’s DNA, and it’s becoming more important all the time. With the mainstream success of shows such as Miami Ink, more and more people are looking at tattoos as a valid form of art, as well as a means of self-expression. And as Bizarre has always celebrated the best ink from around the world, it makes sense for us to devote a lot of space to our inked readers, and unique designs that you wouldn’t see in mainstream magazines.
Recently we decided to expand our Readers’ Art section in the magazine, because we were overwhelmed by the volume of contributions we receive each month. I don’t know if it’s because we’re in recession and people have more time to be creative, or simply because the internet allows artists to share their work more easily and build a portfolio, but we’re receiving more art from readers than ever before. We didn’t have enough space to print the best submissions, so we expanded the section to create a published gallery and celebrate new talent.

An innovation that has brought Bizarre great rewards is the Ultra Vixens and the cover girl search. It’s always a well entered competition and a very coveted prize. Are you excited by the new raft of entries that will undoubtedly come your way for the next cover girl opportunity?

We are staggered by the incredible contributions we receive for Ultra Vixens each month, and our community editor, Amanda Cobain (AKA Mandatron), has a tough time selecting the readers to put in the magazine.

We’re currently keeping an eye on models as they sign up for the Ultra Vixens website (www.ultravixens.net), and will look to arrange a London shoot sometime in future when we’ve selected 10 girls we think could be a cover star. Some of these shortlisted girls might appear on the cover of Bizarre, or maybe none of them will make the grade – but what we want to do is create an environment for new stars to shine, and hopefully discover the next big players in alternative modelling.

It’s clear that the readers are vital to Bizarre’s success, and a large portion of the mag is dedicated to reader involvement. I don’t know of a magazine that is as in touch with its readership, and knows what is desired from month to month. There’s a real sense of co-ownership and strong online community. Would you agree with those observations?

Reader contributions are the lifeblood of Bizarre. In my career I’ve worked on much bigger and more successful titles, but no other newsstand publication gets as much feedback from its readers as Bizarre, and so it’s the best magazine in the world to work on. I’d love to fill the entire magazine with reader content as it’s wildly exciting and innovative, but we also need to be careful to give readers plenty of the other sick stuff they’re interested in!

Bizarre couldn’t exist without contributions from the community we’ve fostered in the magazine and online, and I salute anyone who takes the time to get in touch with us. (And, on that point, don’t get upset if you send Bizarre something and it doesn’t get featured – we get more post than our small team can handle, so don’t be afraid to send stuff again if we don’t get back to you immediately!)

Bizarre is a pinnacle for many within the industry, fetish and alternative models/photographers hold the publication in the highest esteem. Have you got a message for those aspiring to appear in your pages, and for all those faithful fans that read every month?

To photographers and models… be innovative, work hard and be nice! There’s a lot of competition out there, so you need to keep evolving your work, embracing new ideas, and looking for an opportunity to shine. And, if you do get a break, don’t be a twat – nothing’s more likely to turn us off than somebody who’s difficult to work with, so treat us with respect and we’ll do the same for you.

To readers… keep buying the magazine and help Bizarre to survive! In these dark times of recession, magazine sales across the board are plummeting – and if you don’t support Bizarre, it will eventually disappear, just like all those other great magazines that have died in recent years. My team and I will always bust a gut to bring you amazing stories from around the world, and give our readers a platform to showcase their talents… so don’t forget to buy the magazine now and again, and don’t just borrow your mate’s dog-eared copy!

Thanks very much for your time and helping me to celebrate a year interviewing alternative artists on my blog. Good luck with the future of Bizarre, and thanks for the hard work of the entire team. Could you give us any hints at possible future content/features we may see in Bizarre in the future?

Some forthcoming attractions include… the second part of our HR Giger interview, Bizarre spends the night in a cursed mansion (and just about survives), more world-class body art, exciting HP Lovecraft news and much, much more!

I can not thank David enough for all the time and effort he put into this article. With deadlines and issue releases looming, he managed to fit in a detailed and very informative interview with the Alt Girl botherer blog. He came across as a very endearing character, and someone who impressed me with his dedication to helping out a creative project. I wish him and his magazine all the success in the world, and I for one will be supporting Bizarre a lot more from now on. A great publication, with a massive heart behind it. They care about their readers, and I hope if nothing else, that fact shines through in this piece. 

A FRONT magazine favourite and someone who has been rhapsodised about on this very blog in the past, but click the link to see a brand new Tabby Farrar shoot everybody! Immense photos from Franc and interview by… me :)

It’s KayKay time everybody! It’s my immense pleasure to be able to post my latest interview with the incomparable KayKay Sakura. We’ve been planning this piece for a few months now, and I’m thrilled it’s finally finished and ready to share. KayKay is a unique individual, an energetic and positive source of creativity and inspirational energy. She’s a character that I was drawn to because of her great work with latex, however when I researched her work further I discovered a photographer and model who truly captivates. Everyone I have spoken to about KayKay has wonderful things to say about her, and in the course of this interview I can understand why. Such a down to earth lady and someone who really deserves fanfare. Check out our chat, and get to know a terrific lady.

 

Q: Welcome KayKay, it’s wonderful to have such an energetic and versatile artist on my blog. How are you doing today?

KayKay: I’m doing rather well thank you, and also thank you for having me!

Q: May we start by talking modelling? I know it’s only one facet of your work, but it’s the first aspect I came across. How did you get into the business?

KayKay: I never know how to fully answer a question of “how did you get into the business?” It’s not something I really thought about as a child; it was something I got into when an amazing glamour photographer (Holly Knowles) stumbled across my Facebook and asked if I wanted to model for her. I couldn’t turn down that opportunity and said yes. Since then, I’ve had various friends and other photographers around the South West asking if I wanted to collaborate with them. Seeing as I was still a newbie at that time, I thought to myself “Surely there is no harm in this?”

Q: Did you have any idea what to expect before you started modelling? What were your opinions of the industry before you were involved, and have they changed today?

KayKay: Not at all, the only expectation I had about the industry, was that it’d be a lot more glamorous that it really is. But the media hypes that up and I think I was extremely gullible and too young to understand it at that time. You do make your own views as you go along, as most people do with whatever industry they’re in.
In this industry, especially within the alternative scene, if you meet the right people and you get along with them, you’ll always have them around, which is comforting. And there’s a lot of diva-free models, and that is always soothing for anybody really.

Q: You’ve created a vast and varied portfolio since 2010, and it’s a joy to look through. Your images range from vibrantly colourful to artistic black and white and some amazing alternative and fetish pictures. Do you have a favourite style in which to shoot? What genre of modelling do you prefer to work within?

K: My favourite style as a model would have to be the fashion-esque styled shoots; whether I’m wearing latex or just clothing.  

Q: Your alternative fashion shots are beautifully fun, and you have been shot in some wonderful urban locations. Do your photographs ever reflect your own sense of style? Do you have any style icons from your industry?

K: Believe me when I say, I’m plain in the ‘real world’. I’ve noticed I’m constantly wearing black; skinny jeans/leggings, vest tops with vans or pumps. I think in my photographs, that’s where I show how I want to be, and that’s the only time I get to open up and be extremely stylish. If I was to wear whatever I wore in my pictures out in the public in broad daylight, I’d probably get looked at funnily.
I’ve always looked up to Gwen Stefani as my style icon, and in a way I still do now. However, if I could, I’d probably go wild on brands such as Agent Provocateur, Vivienne Westwood, The Kooples, and Jeffrey Campbell.
I probably would also be constantly wearing garments by a good friend of mine, Alice Vandy, her creations are amazing! And I have one of her garments in my portfolio as well.

Q: Another area of modelling that I think you excel in is your work with latex. It’s one of my favourite materials and forms of fashion. How did you get into working with latex, and how does the material make you feel when you wear it?

K: I was quite lucky with working in and with latex, the first time I had properly worn latex for a shoot was for Lady Allura’s Latex; she’d lent me a couple of garments for myself to model and to shoot. I’ve purchased some awesome ‘Starburst Hotpants’ from Lady Lucie in the past as well, and they where lovely to have on.
The material is awesome to have on, however if you’re in it for too long it can get quite uncomfortable. Latex if you really think about it isn’t as glamorous as most people think, you get hot and sweaty and no-one is comfortable when they’re in that position. However, it looks amazing on, so you do try and forget about the downfalls of it. I do feel a little more elegant when I’m wearing latex, though if you’re having a bad (bloated) day, the latex does show that off, which is never cool, but there’s nothing wrong with a bit of breathing in!

Q: I first came across your latex work when I saw you dressed as the Riddler from Batman. It’s a picture that urged me to find out more about your work, and in particular that shot. Could you tell us a little about becoming an extremely sexy Riddler, and what was that outfit like to wear and put on?

K: I can assure you now that the Riddler outfit is a lot easier taking off than it was putting on. When Rubber Monkey Latex first introduced me to the outfit, it had no zip at the back, so it was quite interesting squeezing me into the garment; especially being in such a tiny changing room, but we got me in it. The outfit is actually an amazing piece to put on; though I do think I got too much into character when I was wearing it. I turned into Jim Carrey’s Riddler; quite flamboyant, camp and overly smiley. I actually watched Batman Forever as research before the shoot so I could source his character into my brain.

Q: The Riddler garment is made by Rubber Monkey, a company you have a strong link with. I wondered if you would like to tell us about your love of Rubber Monkey’s products, and what pieces of theirs you have worn?

K: My love for Rubber Monkey isn’t just down to her products; it’s for the lady behind it all. She’s one of the closest friend and really it’s just a bonus we met to be honest.
I’ve worn quite a few of her garments in the past 12 months, when we first encountered each other it was actually through a status looking for models for Birmingham Bizarre Bazaar back in November 2011. Where Ms. Monkey let me wear one of her first creations, one outfit was this off-white two piece set, and the second outfit on that day, was a blue two piece set. I’ve also modelled various creations such as the simple bra and pants combo, leotards, playsuits, adorable pieces like the Dorothy from Wizard of Oz with Ruby Jewel being the Flying Monkey, a Thor inspired outfit, True Heart Bear, and not to forget a one off garment like elegant asymmetric turquoise dress.

Q: Lastly on latex, have you got any advice for people who want to get into wearing and working with it? What is the best way of putting the clothing on and taking it off, as well as caring for it?

K: Advice to people who want to get into and working with latex is approach any designer nicely if you’d like to model their products; I’ve always given designers respect, and so should everyone else really.
The best way to put the garments on is either with talcum powder all over you and inside of the garment. Though what I’ve found amazing for putting on latex garments is Pjur CULT (Dressing Aid & Conditioner) it literally helps slip the latex on without any problems, and it’s my favourite thing to have on me when there’s latex goodies involved. It’s an amazing investment, and it’s makes latex ultra shiny too!

Q: You’ve had some incredible photographers take your picture and create superb collaborations thus far in your career. Who have been some of your most memorable people to work with, and has anyone influenced your own photography work?

K: I’ve worked with some amazing talents in the past two years as a model, especially with my move to the West Midlands. I will always remember my first ever shoot with Holly Knowles, always.
Then there are photography talents like Salleh Sparrow, TwistedPix, Chris Sinnett, Simon Winnall, Andy Watson, Ed Robert, Danniella Jaine and Jemma Dodd, that I’ve been extremely thankful to, for giving me the opportunity to collaborate with them. And even though these are only a handful of names, I think these guys and dolls just deserve a good proper mentioning.
Q: Speaking of your photography, I really enjoy your work behind the camera as well as in front. When did you first become interested in taking pictures? Is it a passion that goes back to your childhood?

K: See now people don’t believe me when I actually say I started being behind the camera first. I’ve had a few photographers be a little stunned when I help them out with lighting or use photography terms. I first picked up a D-SLR when I was 15 and just took snapshots of flowers, landscape, food and the occasional self portrait. It wasn’t till I turned 18 when I pushed myself into taking portrait photographs, working with local South West models to boost my confidence being behind the camera.

Q: You’ve done many stunning self portraits, is using yourself in photographs a way of exploring your modelling and photography at the same time? Or is it a bit of fun to exercise your skills? Or is it more out of necessity?

K: It’s a mixture of all those things really. Some of the images are purely down to my emotion and how I want to show off my creativity in that mind frame.
A lot of my shots are from just playing around really, on my camera and on photo-shop. Also it was a way to learn different techniques, and soaking in all the advice I was given and using it to my full advantage.

Q: Your style of photography is very fresh and again, vibrant. You have a wonderful understanding of colour, and can handle the subject very well. Is colour something that inspires you?

K: Pretty colours will always be a part of me. I just can’t help myself when it comes to colours, even if an image is dark; there is always a splash of blue, green or even pink somewhere in there. It just makes me happy.

Q: You’re equally adept at capturing men and women in your photography, but what is your favourite subject matter? Would you agree that the female form is a remarkable source of beauty in a photograph, or are you able to find beauty in a myriad of places?

K: I’m going to be completely honest with this, but I do find women a lot easier to work with as a subject. The elegance that a lady can portray is something not all men can do. Also, because of the way I am and how I like to show my work, I often find that I always make men look feminine; and not all guys are into that. So yes, I would agree that the female form is a source of beauty, doesn’t matter what kind of story you’re trying to create.

Q: I always love the opportunity to talk to someone who is both a model and photographer. How do you think one aspect of your creativity influences the other? Do you think being a photographer has changed the way you model and visa versa?

K: In a way it has. A lot of people respect that I do both, which is really flattering. I do give all photographers benefit of the doubt these days, because even though for a model the shoot has been wrapped up, the photographer still works their socks off editing like mad. I’ve never even thought about asking a photographer “where are my pictures?” because I know they’re putting their time effort and hard work in, so I always give them time to do what they do best.
With new photographers, I’m able and willing to help them out if needs be, give them advice on techniques and such. I find it a huge compliment when a photographer turns around and asks “KayKay, could you help me on this please?” whilst I’m modelling, because to me it shows that they’re willing to learn and take a bit of advice from me. It’s always a nice feeling when you can help someone out.

Q: What would be your ideal relationship with a photographer? Do you like a lot of direction and sharing of ideas on set, or are you more spontaneous with your work? Also, as a photographer, what is your ideal relationship with a model? Do you like models to come with their own ideas, or do you like to take charge of a shoot when you’re behind the camera?

K: In a way, I do like some direction from photographers, as I don’t often push myself to my full limit with poses. However, I’ve always found that most shoots I do when I’m modelling are quite spontaneous, there’s not much planning and it’s just one of those “let’s get on and shoot!”
Myself being a photographer, I do sometimes like it when a model comes prepared and she knows how to get herself into a position, only because I’ll feel bad for pushing a model way too much with poses. In all fairness, those I’ve worked with in the past (and I’m sure in the future too) are all superstars, and they’re just adorable to work with.

Q: Finally KayKay, I’d love to touch on your own sense of style. You have a very unique and beautiful look. You are constantly reinventing yourself with ever changing hair styles and modelling projects. Is it fun to play around with different looks, and do you have any plans for future stylistic or fashion changes?

K: I do enjoy playing around with different looks as it just gives a bit more of a character in my portfolio and as a person. But I think, no matter how much my fashion taste changes in the future, I will be blonde as long as I can.   

Q: I couldn’t interview you without talking about your remarkable tattoos. You have some gorgeous artwork on your body, and I’d love to know more about the pieces and the decisions behind them. I particularly love your chest and stomach pieces. Could you at least talk about those two designs here?

K: My chest actually links with my arm piece; I grew up watching Sailor Moon right though my teenage years. My uncle would go back to Hong Kong for holidays, and whilst he was out there he’d send me V-CDs. For ages I wanted a chest piece, but I hadn’t known really what I wanted done. Then it dawned on me that Usagi had a chest locket so she can transform into Sailor Moon, but I didn’t want it as just that, so I had the tattoo artist (Karl Bowker: Kamikaze Ink) add in a keyhole.
My stomach was something I had planned and designed by myself for a good year, and then tattoo artist (Dave Marshall: Canvas Tattoos) worked his magic over it and cleaned it up for me. The writing says “Bloom to Blossom & Bloom to Perish”, these are lyrics from No Doubt, though people only recognise it from ‘What are you waiting for?’ which isn’t actually where I got it from. I’d first heard the line from one of their B-Side songs, which was called ‘Beauty Contest’. If you listen to the song it kind of makes sense especially with the industry I’m in. In the original design, I actually had red roses, but as this tattoo was a birthday present from my Godmother, I wanted to include both her favourite flowers (which are Orchids) and colour (purple). My Godmother had no clue I was going to get this done ‘til I showed her, and she was really touched by it, which was the main aim I was reaching for.

Q: How do you find the experience of getting a tattoo? Do you enjoy the pain sensation, or is that an aspect you just deal with to get the wonderful results?

K: I’m actually okay with dealing with pain, but I do have my limits. I still think to this day, that my stomach piece was by far the worst! Happy to say, I won’t be doing that again. The pain sensation and just dealing with it is something you’ve gotta do. It’s always worth it!

Q: Could I ask about your upcoming projects please KayKay? What are you working on at the moment, and where can fans of your modelling and photography work see you next?

K: At the moment I don’t really have anything specific I’m working on. Though I am hopefully going to be working with LatexGirlsHD (Cole Black) and other gorgeous ladies very soon on something pretty exciting. The best way to keep up with my work is my Facebook fan page, as I’m always updating that. Unfortunately, I am going through some technical issues with my website, so I can’t update that as often as I’d like to, but I’m hoping to sort that out as soon as possible.

Q: Can we please end with Bernard Pivot’s questionnaire KayKay?

What is your favourite word? I do tend to use the ‘C U Next Tuesday’ a bit too much… I’ve often found myself saying ‘awesome’ on shoots quite often too.

What is your least favourite word? I don’t really have a least favourite word.

What turns you on? The better half in a suit; nothing beats a guy in a lush suit. Moustaches/beards. Hip bones.

What turns you off?I don’t like feet. Or bad body odour, but I think that’s most people.

What sound or noise do you love? Laughter. Music. Babies laughing always gets me smiling too.
What sound or noise do you hate?I really despise it when my boyfriend (not intentionally) scrapes his knife on his plate and it makes that really horrible high-pitch squeaking noise. Ugh, it’s making me shudder just thinking about it.

What is your favourite curse word?The one that begins with an F and ends with a K…
and the C U Next Tuesday.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Fashion designer would be awesome. I wanted to be a Police Woman when I was little… Don’t think I’d have the balls for that now.

What profession would you not like to do? Nurse/Vet, I wouldn’t last a second in theatre.  

If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?“You’ve obviously done something right to make it up here?”

 

Massive thanks to KayKay for her time and energy. It was my pleasure to feature her here and I really hope you guys enjoyed reading. I’ll put some links below so people can keep track of KayKay’s projects, I recommend following her various sites and pages; it’s always lots of fun!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/KayKay-Sakura/147219338632876

http://kaykaysakura.com

 

All above images were provided by KayKay and used with her permission. They are the products of the following artists in order of appearance: 1)KayKay Sakura by ChrisSinn Photography wearing Rubber Monkey latex 2) KayKay Sakura photography featuring Ruby Jewel wearing Rubber Monkey latex 3)TwistedPix photography KayKay wearing Rubber Monkey latex 4) KayKay Sakura photography of Betty Havok wearing Rubber Monkey latex.

 

Extremely excited about my Rubber Monkey feature that is coming real soon! I’m sourcing pictures for the piece tonight ready for posting later this evening or tomorrow at the latest. People who check out this blog regularly will know how much of a latex junkie i am, and it’s a sheer pleasure to be able to feature one of the leading exponents of the craft on my blog. Keep your eyes peeled fellow rubber lovers, you won’t want to miss this one :) 

I’ve got to be careful how I type the beginning of this interview post, a slipped keystroke could be a catastrophe; here goes. The CULT of Abbie Mac has been all-consuming for me since her debut in FRONT’s DIY section (issue 165), and while this tremendous young model would never describe herself as a cult figure, I’ve enjoyed pursuing her career to date as such. When I first turned to page 59 of FRONT issue 165, Abbie’s DIY inclusion jumped from the page, and her images stayed with me. I implored FRONT to feature this unknown lady in a full Alt Girl shoot, and to my sheer delight they decided to in issue 167! I felt like someone who sees a band in their local, before they get their record deal, and it spurred me on to find more of Abbie’s work and approach her for an interview. I was very happy when she obliged, and during our conversations I found Abbie to be a unique, ambitious and down to earth woman, with a geeky side that’s out of this world and an incredible sense of humour. She’s a fascinating model, with her career in front of her. I feel very lucky to be able to feature Abbie at the beginning of said career, and am look forward to following her work closely in the future.

Q: Welcome Abbie, it’s wonderful to have you on my blog, you’ve become a bit of a cult hero for me since your first appearance in FRONT magazine. How are you doing?

Abbie Mac: I’m doing really well thanks, just got over a ridiculous 3 weeks of having every illness known to man so I’m finally fighting fit again and it feels awesome!

Q: That’s good news. Would it be correct to say you’re relatively new to the modelling game? How long have you been doing shoots, and how did you first get involved with the biz?

Abbie Mac: Yeah, I’m only a baby in terms of modelling really. I’ve been doing shoots now since about January - not a long time but I’ve been cramming them in wherever I can! Modelling was never something that crossed my mind for a long time - I didn’t even really wear makeup until I was 18, I’m not the girliest of girls. At the beginning of December I honestly don’t know what came over me, but I decided to send some photos into Front on a whim. I didn’t think anything would come of it but quite soon after I got an email saying I’d made it into the magazine and it all kind of went from there really!

Q: Would you say you’re looking at modelling as a career for the future? Or a hobby that you’re enjoying at the moment?

Abbie Mac: It’s definitely something I’d love to progress in - a the moment it’s a hobby and I’m really enjoying it, I love transforming into a different person for each shoot and I’m learning a lot. It would be great to make it into a career but I’m realistic and I know that the industry is saturated and it’s a very difficult thing to pull off. But if I can pull it off, it would be an amazing path to go down!

Q: That’s terrific, I applaud you for having the conviction to say you actively want to pursue it as a career. You’ve voiced strong feelings in the past, particularly about the glamour side of modelling. What are your views on the industry as someone just beginning their journey? Did you have any expectations going in? Is it a welcoming industry would you say?

Abbie Mac: I’m under no illusions, I know that it takes a lot of hard work and I’m not going to be booking so many shoots that I’m turning down offers this time in 6 months, but it’s a fun journey to go on and if I get there I get there, if not then I’ve not lost anything and I’m having a great time trying! I didn’t really have any expectations to be honest, it’s not something I thought long and hard about to be quite blunt - everything I’ve done so far has happened pretty quickly but I’m glad to say that I’ve not had a single bad experience with it, I’ve not had any negativity either and everyone has been nothing but supportive. I’d say that yeah to a degree it is welcoming, there’s the obvious downside of being rejected when applying to casting calls and such but I knew about that already and didn’t really expect to get every shoot I put myself forward for. I’ve met some lovely people so far, which is more than a lot of people can say in a regular job… believe me, I used to work in sales!

Q: I first saw your work in issue 165 of FRONT, those photos being the DIY shots you sent in (in December). Why did you choose to submit to FRONT Abbie? You must have been a fan of the magazine previously right?

Abbie Mac: Yeah I’ve been a fan for a while, I love that you can tell straight away when a photo is from Front and they always seem to come up with really great, fun ideas for their spreads. I like the humour in the magazine too, and I’m a big fan of lasses with tattoos, as is my boyfriend, so it’s a good one for us both to read!

I toyed with the idea of submitting photos a couple of times but brushed it off, I didn’t think I’d stand a chance of getting in the magazine itself. But, this probably sounds a bit daft, I tend to get bored and send my boyfriend daft photos of me in my underwear wearing pig masks and things when he’s away, and one night while we were at the pub he brought up Front and the Alt Girl thing and suggested I sent some photos in… and the next day I thought… well, I’ve got nothing to lose, why not!

Q: Underwear and pig masks. Lucky boy! Why pig masks may I ask Abbie? Those first three photos you sent in really did make you stand out from the other DIY entries that month. I was so impressed that I singled you out as someone I thought should definitely return for an alt girl feature. How did it feel when you got the news you had made it into the mag?

Abbie Mac: Haha I’m not sure, I have quite a collection of latex animal masks and they look pretty hilarious paired with frilly knickers or a nurse’s outfit, and I like to get a laugh or two where I can! Awh thank you, I was a bit sceptical when I sent them in because I didn’t think I was what Front usually goes for, so getting the email was definitely a surprise! I was absolutely chuffed though, it was definitely a boost because I didn’t expect to hear anything back at all!

Q: I couldn’t help but comment on and compliment your unique look in the shots. I likened it to everything from cabaret to vamp. Your hair in particular is a fabulous style and coupled with your black suspenders and raven hair on pale skin, it was an impressive debut. Could I ask what inspired your look?

Abbie Mac: Thank you so much! It was a number of things really. This time 2 years ago I had a short a-line bob that would be blue one week, then pink, then purple… which was good for a while but it killed my hair so I decided to grow it out, and the only way I could keep it healthy was dying it black and sticking to it. I’ve always been a fan of the Bettie Page look and gothy pinup ladies in general so I decided to go down that route a bit, I’m white as a sheet anyway so it wasn’t exactly a huge leap haha. The Vulcan fringe was born purely out of boredom (it’s very hard to resist going back to bright hair) and a love of all things sci-fi! And I’ve always loved suspenders and corsetry and anything with a bit of kink… who can say no to a bum caged in suspender straps eh?

Q: I know I can’t! The Vulcan fringe is a total winner, I’ve never seen it utilised so stylishly. Except for on Mr Nimoy of course. It’s clear you’re a geek to the core Miss Abbie, does it impact a lot on your fashion/style choices? Ever done the Princess Leia?

Abbie Mac: Haha thank you, it’s such a little change to a standard fringe but it makes a lot of difference I think! I’d say being a bit of a nerd does influence my style to a degree - I can’t abide those faux-geek oversized plastic rimmed glasses, but I have a wardrobe full of Star Wars and Batman t-shirts, Xbox controller necklaces (a gift to myself for hitting 10k gamer points…I’m very sad!) and things like that. Haha I’ve not done the Leia yet, but I’d jump at the chance to ooze around in that slave outfit! It’s a classic for a reason!

RubberMonkey has just made some Avengers themed latex outfits, and good god, if I had the money I’d be wearing every single one of them right now!

Q: YES, thank you, those thick black rimmed glasses are a bugbear for me as well! I’ve seen those Rubber Monkey Avengers outfits and they are awesome. Have you seen the Avengers by the way? What did you think? Loki fan or Downey Jr fan?

Abbie Mac: As a glasses wear myself I am frankly offended by their popularity, haha. Yeah I went to see it recently, what a film! I can’t say no to a bit of RDJ, he’s in my favourite film Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, but for me Thor stole the show. There’ll always be a place in my bed for Chris Hemsworth, baby or no baby! Haha!

Q: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, what a film. Val Kilmer is hilarious in it. That bit when Downey pees on that dead girl, it kills me. Anyway sorry, back to FRONT. You were in the magazine again two issues later for your full Alt Girl shoot, when did you find out about that, and could you fill us in on the process Abbie? How was it all set up etc…

Abbie Mac: Somewhere, right now, an all you can eat buffet is losing money on Val Kilmer! haha. Well, shortly after my first set was in issue 165 Becca contacted me and asked for another set, which is on the website now. As we emailed back and forth she sent a bit of a cryptic “Just checking, where are you based? I’ll contact you soon” which I responded to and didn’t hear anything of for 2 or 3 weeks, so I kind of assumed she was just double checking for my online profile. But about 3 weeks before issue 167 came out she emailed me and asked if I was free the following Monday for a shoot at home, and put me in contact with Nadia King (Scarlett Studios). I exchanged a few emails with the photo guys at Front where I sent them samples of about 8 outfits, and they chose what they wanted me to wear for the shoot. After faffing about swapping my shifts at work we settled on a time for Nadia to come round, and the shoot went really well. It took a few hours and we got a lot of shots all over my house - jumping on my bed, crawling up my stairs, on the table in my dining room, melting off the sofa in the living room..! At one point while I was posing in front of my window in nothing but my knickers I caught my next door neighbour’s eye… slightly awkward! Nadia was absolutely lovely, really funny and very helpful with direction which I appreciated because it was my first proper shoot. After that it was a nervous 3 week wait for the mag to come out, hoping they wouldn’t put my painfully terrible winky face in!

Q: It was a fantastic shoot, and one I rhapsodised over in a review. I really loved what you did in your photos, and they came out wonderfully. You decided to go topless and semi nude in some shots, was this a tough choice for you?

Abbie Mac: Thank you, I really appreciate it! To be honest… no, it wasn’t! I’m of the opinion that you’re only young once, and the human body is a beautiful thing not something to be ashamed of, so why not? I used to have very low self esteem and I was bullied a lot while I was at school for the way I looked and the music I listened to etc etc, as is the case with a lot of people in secondary school, but the past few years I’ve come out of my shell a lot more and I’m proud of who I am and my body, and if someone wants me to show it off (in a non-sleazy way) then who am I to say no, haha!

I’ve not done a lot of topless work since, purely because I want a wide range of images in my portfolio and it’s very easy to fall into just getting topless shoots, or just getting nude shoots, and while I appreciate the human form I don’t want to pigeonhole myself just yet.

Q: Very well said. Everything with FRONT seemed to happen extremely quickly for you, it’s an experience I’m sure you’d love to do again, and to work with Nadia must have been a thrill. She’s the queen of the Alt Girl shoots, and would you say you learnt something from having her take your photo?

Abbie Mac: To be honest I was surprised with how quickly everything went, I remember reading stories on the old forums of girls not hearing anything for months then suddenly being told they were going to be in the magazine! I’d absolutely jump at the chance to do it again - I’m actually planning on doing another DIY set when I get some time to myself this week. I absolutely loved working with Nadia - I was a big fan of her work to begin with and she was full of brilliant ideas, I learned a lot from her definitely. She was really friendly and fun to shoot with which relaxed me a lot, I hope I get another chance to work with her in the future, it really was a great experience.

To be continued…

Today I’ve got an interview with a distinct European flavour. It’s with Finnish alternative model Tiina, whose work first caught my eye during a visit to the modelmayhem website. I was so taken by the striking imagery on show that I delved deeper into her portfolio, and had to get in touch to request an interview. To my delight, Tiina was agreeable, and we got started. Tiina’s photographs capture a suave demeanour and an accomplished air, but she’s worked hard at her craft, and we’re all now reaping the benefits of exquisite work. It was so kind of Tiina to take time for this interview before a working trip to Italy, and getting to know the lady behind the pictures has been fantastic. I hope you’ll enjoy this introduction to a very talented woman.

 

Q: Hello Tiina. Welcome to my blog. What have you been up to recently?

Tiina: Hi and thank you very much. Pleasure to be on your blog. I’ve been up to loads! My life has been bit of a rollercoaster this year. Everything is changing and I just moved back to London from Essex.
I’m travelling to Italy this week for modelling and then touring Finland so keeping busy!

Q: Speaking of Finland, you’re a Finnish born model working in the UK and Europe. I’ve always been interested in Finland as a country. I wonder if you could share with us what is was like starting out as a model in your homeland, and what the alternative scene is like there?

Tiina: I went to a modelling school there when I was about 15. I learnt catwalk, posing, etc. I loved it and wanted to become a model and they said to go back when I’m bit older… I didn’t go back, but still wanted to be a model. The only modelling work I did in Finland was hair fashion shows and I loved it. It was the best days of my life then. Just what I wanted to do!
I don’t know how’s the alternative scene in Finland because I left to move to England when I was 18 and I didn’t go to any of those places then. I know some people online who are in the scene.

Q: On the subject of the beginning of your career, could you tell us how you got involved with modelling? What was your big break into the business, and how did your first shoots go?

Tiina: I tried a few agencies when I first arrived to London but they just wanted to take my money. I didn’t know anything about how it works so I paid loads for a portfolio. I didn’t get any work from those agencies so I was going to give up, didn’t think I looked like a model, and was too busy working so didn’t have time anyway. Then I moved to Essex and left my job as a security officer so I had time to do anything I wanted. I was going to get a ‘normal’ job but same time was looking for modelling and TV extra work. I got some TV extra work through Starnow first, but wasn’t till I joined Purestorm when it started. And I don’t think I’ve had any big break into the business. Just started to get busier and busier. I do my best and work hard. I hope I will get my big break soon :)

Q: You’ve worked with a number of different photographers, and in a number of different styles. What genre of photo shoot do you most prefer? Is it the fetish side, or the beauty and glamour side?

T: I love to do different styles. My job is very varied and I can never get bored. I do bit of almost everything, but I if have to choose favourites I would pick glamour/erotic.

Q: Your work with photographer Phil Winterbourne and KashR Photography are very distinctive indeed. The photographs are taken in close proximity, and it really generates an intimate feeling when viewing the pictures. You have a fantastic talent for emoting to camera; do you enjoy the more theatrical nature of being photographed and creating different expressions?

T: I love the camera! Some photographers have said I change for the camera and I do. I become someone I want to be. You need to have a way of expressing yourself. Before I used to draw, now I pose. It comes naturally and I’ve always been creative. I love being on front of camera and being photographed, it’s the best job in the world. I’m so lucky.

Q: You have very strong features, and your hair and pale skin are a very striking signature. How do you manage to produce such a varied range of photographs and reinvent yourself for every shoot naturally?

T: Yeah, got my Finnish features and I’m actually naturally brunette but blonde is so much better so I will stay blonde! I had my fringe cut like this for a Lady Gaga shoot and I’ve kept the style ever since.

And I just do it…just change my mood to each shoot. Can’t explain… I just do what is required of me. It comes from inside.

Q: I adore your fetish work, and am always interested in people that work in the fetish world. Do you enjoy the fetish scene in your own personal life? Do you think it’s important for a model to have an interest in whatever fetish she is depicting?

T: I didn’t know anything about fetish before I started modelling! I only got to know about it through my work and I’ve learnt a lot, also about myself. It’s been a big part of my modelling, I get quite a lot of fetish work, and now it’s become bit more part of my personal life too. I’m very open minded and up for doing new things in modelling. I’m not into all fetish things I do at work, I just don’t mind doing them.

Q: You’ve recently shared some work you’ve done using chocolate and food in a shoot. What was that experience like, and who came to you with the idea of working with chocolate in that way?
T: It was Easter group shoot organised by London Themed Artistic and Erotic group. I posed for them at Easter last year and asked if I could do again. Brian, the organiser got the idea. It was fun, but messy. Didn’t mind getting chocolate all over me, but tried to avoid it getting in my hair. I’ve done some other messy shoots before, involving custard, chocolate, cream, oil, paint, etc…

Q: What is it like for a model to work a shoot that involves bondage or suspension? Do you have to find different ways of expressing yourself when parts of your body are bound? Does it become more about facial expression then?
T: I like doing bondage shoots, it’s quite relaxing for me. You can still move your body a bit and can move head and change expressions. Suspension is bit harder but also fun.

Q: You’re an experienced model who has taken part in hundreds of photo shoots already. What advice would you give to women who are thinking about getting into the industry? What are some of the positives and negatives that most people don’t consider about the job?
T: I get emails from new models asking for advice sometimes. Get some good photos taken for portfolio, and you don’t have to pay loads to get portfolio like I did many years ago… Promote yourself, I’m on loads of different sites. I’m updating my facebook fan page daily and reply to all my fan mail. Work hard, don’t give up, be reliable, and learn to pose…
Positives…I like working freelance and can work the hours I want and I’m in charge of everything, I love posing and seeing the results, travelling to new places, meeting new people, and modelling gives me so much confidence, and makes me happy. I’m always happier after shooting.
Negatives…Sometimes I get weird messages, but most people are lovely. Everyone wants to be friends on facebook now, and there’s some weird people I’ve had to block.
Not many negatives come to my mind, but you have to work hard to be busy.

Q: I’m always interested in a model’s views on nudity in their shots. Did you have any difficulties when you first began posing nude? Or like me are you of the opinion that the human form is an incredible source of beauty, and it should be celebrated?
T: Right in the beginning I didn’t do nude, even turned down casting for Channel 4 because it was topless. I did my first nude shoot after about two months of starting modelling. I was nervous when I did my first nude shoot, but after that was fine. Doesn’t feel any different if I have clothes on or off now and I like shooting nude :)

Q: Are there any ideas or concepts for shoots that you haven’t engaged in but want to? Is there a type of photograph you’d love to pose for?

T: There’s loads I want to do and many photographers I would like to work with, and recently have got a chance to work with some of them. I would like to work with more fashion designers and try new looks. Also I want to get published so working on that at the moment. 

Q: Away from modelling, what would you say influences your own sense of style, in terms of fashion and make-up? How do you like to dress in her day to day life?

T: I wear more clothes when I’m not working lol… Usually short dresses, heels or boots, always have eyeliner.
I like black, pink and strong colours. I want to look good but not like everyone else. I don’t wear trainers and you don’t often see me wearing trousers. I have a diploma in fashion design and I’ve done hairdressing.

Q: What other influences do you have? What music, film, literature etc do you enjoy? Also, how much of your Finnish background do you think influences your choices in life? Is your nationality still a big part of your life, or have you integrated with UK sensibilities more now?
T: Music I like… 80s classics, Lady Gaga, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Rihanna, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Lily Allen, Dingo, Leevi and the Leavings (last two are Finnish bands)… At the moment I’m loving The Ting Tings. I can listen to the same album over and over again.
Films… Anything with Keanu Reeves, Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. I like old films like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Gone with the Wind. TV I like: Coronation Street, Come Dine with Me, The Inbetweeners, original Charlie’s Angels, Kath and Kim (Australian version), Absolutely Fabulous, and my favourite as a teenager used to be My So Called Life, which is why my tumblr is called that.
Books… All Danielle Steel books, And I don’t Want To Live This Life, book about Nancy Spungen by her mum Deborah Spungen.
Being Finnish is not that big part of me anymore. I love going there for holidays and visiting my family, but my life is in London. All my family is still in Finland so I travel there at least once a year, but couldn’t live there anymore. I like to watch Finnish films sometimes and listen to Finnish music, I didn’t even like Finnish music when I lived there :)

Finally, could we please finish with Bernard Pivot’s questionnaire?

What is your favourite word? Kitty

What is your least favourite word?  But…

What turns you on? I won’t tell you…

What turns you off? Doctors

What sound or noise do you love? Music, I always need music on!

What sound or noise do you hate? Baby crying

What is your favourite curse word? I don’t swear :)

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I’ve got my dream job…If have to be something else I would be an astronaut!

What profession would you not like to do? Cleaner (though I like to clean at home) or supermarket checkout

If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Welcome angel

Again, it was fantastic talking with Tiina and I really got an insight into models from abroad working here in the UK. Tiina has strived to get where she is today, and her determination will see her succeed in all her future projects I’m sure. I’m glad I was able to bring her work to those who may not have known it, and I hope her story is somewhat of an inspiration to aspiring models everywhere. Check out Tiina’s links for more information:

http://www.tiinakmodel.co.uk/

http://tiinak.tumblr.com/

http://www.facebook.com/tiinakmodel

 

All images were provided by Tiina, and used with her say so.